98922 - Political Philosophy (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

This course focuses on the major topics, ideas, problems and authors of Western Political Philosophy and its history. Students will be introduced to an advanced level of reading, analysing and deep understanding of key themes and concepts in the Western tradition of political philosophy. They will develop strong skills as critical readers, capable of describing and analysing the conceptual framework of and the specific historiographical debates on some of the major texts in the field, in their historical and cultural context

Course contents

The title of this year's course is 'The Politics of Tragedy: Philosophy and Cinema.' The course, which is taught entirely in English, will analyze some of the major philosophical-political themes in Greek tragedy and their cinematic representation or adaptation. The first aspect we will address is the political significance of tragedy in the classical world, its relationship to philosophy, psychology, and anthropology. This will be complemented by the guided viewing of some film adaptations, focusing on their rhetorical and political dimensions in the contemporary context in which the films were conceived. No prior knowledge of cinema or its theory is required, but this aspect will be taken seriously, and students will necessarily need to acquire the basic tools of cinematic language, its rhetorical significance, and its political uses, through the examples presented in class and the literature included in the syllabus.

NB: No knowledge of ancient Greek is required to attend this course.

NB: For non-attending students of FILO or other departments who have already chosen a dissertation topic (in any discipline), it will be possible to agree on a partially or completely alternative exam program by contacting the instructor well in advance.

Readings/Bibliography

Primary sources:

1. Two texts of your choice from the following:

· Aeschylus, Seven Against Thebes and Prometheus.

· Sophocles, Antigone.

· Euripides, Electra, Iphigenia in Tauris, Medea, The Trojan Women.

NB : Any scholarly edition is suitable, preferably with the original text facing.

Secondary sources:

2. For everyone:

· Giannetti, L. (1999⁸). Understanding Movies. Upper Saddle River NJ: Prentice Hall.

3. A text of your choice from the following:

· Loraux, N. (2002). The Mourning Voices: An Essay on Greek Tragedy. Ithaca NY: Cornell University Press.

· Meier, C. (1993). The Political Art of Greek Tragedy. London: Polity Press.

4. A text of your choice from the following:

· MacKinnon, K. (2016). Greek Tragedy into Film. London: Routledge.

· Michelakis, P. (2013). Greek Tragedy on Screen. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

5. A text of your choice from the following:

· Aristotle (1995). Poetics. Translated by S. Halliwell. Cambridge MA: Harvard University Press

· Nietzsche (2008). The Birth of Tragedy. Translated by D. Smith. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Two movies in the following list of films:

· Cacoyannis, M. Iphigenia (1977)

· Cacoyannis, M. The Trojan Women (1971)

· Cacoyannis, M. Electra (1961)

· Cavani, L. I cannibali [The Year of the Cannibals] (1970)

· Dassin, J. Kravgi gynaikon [A Dream of Passion] (1978)

· Deraspe, S. Antigone (2019)

· Harrison, T. Prometheus (1998)

· Jancso, M. Szerelmem, Elektra [Electra, My Love] (1974)

· Martone, M. Teatro di guerra [Rehearsals for War] (1998)

· Mokammel, T. Rabeya (2008)

· Pasolini, P. P. Medea (1969)

· Pasolini, P. P. Appunti per un’orestiade africana [Notes Toward an African Orestes] (1970)

· Tzavellas, Y. Antigone (1961)

· Von Trier, L. Medea (1988)

Working tools (only suggested for regular use):

· Harsh, P. W. (1944). A Handbook of Classical Drama. Stanford CA: Stanford University Press.

· Segal, E. ed. (1983). Oxford Readings in Greek Tragedy. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

· Gantz, T. (1993). Early Greek Myths: A Guide to Literary and Artistic Sources. Baltimore and London: The John Hopkins University Press.

· Roisman, H. M. ed. (2014). The Encyclopedia of Greek Tragedy. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.

NB: Students who do NOT attend classes must read both texts under (3) and both texts under (4).

Teaching methods

This module is based on the critical reading of primary sources, their commentary supported by secondary sources, the guided viewing of films, and the discussion and active participation of students. The course will be taught entirely in English.

NB: THE CLASS STARTS ON WEDNESDAY 12TH FEBRUARY.

Assessment methods

Attendance in the course is never mandatory and is never recorded. Students can choose to take the exam as 'attending' or 'non-attending' students. Only for the former is the knowledge of what was discussed in class during the lessons assumed. 

The final evaluation is based on a written essay of 3000 words (notes included, bibliography excluded).

The topic of the essay is as follows: Compare and contrast in detail any two films from the list of films discussed in class. You need to discuss the political messages conveyed in these films as well as sketch the specific political and historical background of the subject matter(s) of these films. Importantly, you need to develop a comparative evaluation of the different strategies employed by the movies to confront historical and political issues by using the screen to evoke a sense of involvement in the situation portrayed. NB: Reference to the formal dimensions of a film presented by L. Giannetti and discussed in class is essential. Reference to a) the secondary sources suggested on the syllabus and b) arguments discussed in class is essential.

NB: the essay should be sent to the teacher by email, in .pdf, at least two weeks in advance of the date of the exam.

As an alternative to the written essay, the exam can also be taken in oral form. This option is especially recommended for non-attending students.

The exam, both written and oral, is designed to assess the skills, critical thinking, and methodological abilities acquired by the student based on the texts included in the syllabus. Students who demonstrate a broad and systematic understanding of the topics covered in class and the readings listed in the bibliography, combined with their critical elaboration and mastery of expression and specific terminology, will receive excellent grades (28–30). Predominantly mnemonic knowledge of the subject, limited synthesis and analytical skills, and correct but not always precise language will result in satisfactory evaluations (23–27). Approximate knowledge, superficial understanding, limited analytical ability, and inconsistent expression will lead to passing or slightly above passing grades (18–22). Gaps, inappropriate language, and an inability to navigate the indicated bibliographical materials will necessarily result in a negative evaluation.

Note on plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as “To take and use as one’s own the thoughts, writings or inventions of another” (Oxford English Dictionary). It is important you understand the rules and regulations with regards to plagiarism and that you reference your coursework appropriately. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact me to discuss this matter in advance.

Students with disabilities and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders are entitled to special adjustments according to their condition, subject to assessment by the University Service for Students with Disabilities and SLD. Please do not contact teachers or Department staff, but make an appointment with the Service. The Service will then determine what adjustments are specifically appropriate, and get in touch with the teacher. For more information, please visit the page:
https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students

Teaching tools

PC-connected projector and text visualiser.

Office hours

See the website of Filippo Del Lucchese